DIY device turns off the lights when you blink

According to a team of scientists from the University College London, when we blink, parts of our brain “switch off”. While it is an interesting discovery, Instructables technology editor, Randy Sarafan, has decided to convert our blinks into something more useful and potentially energy saving. This has resulted in a wearable lamp device that operates while your eyes are open, and switches itself off when your eyes are closed or when you blink.

The device is Arduino programmed and essentially attaches an EMG sensor onto the wearer’s face via electrodes. However Randy also goes on to state: “Caution!!! Connecting your face to a DIY device that is plugged directly into the wall is a terrible idea. This Instructable was for entertainment purposes only. You should never replicate this.”

Will Randy’s device actually help save electricity, or will it actually consume more and decrease the lifespan of your lightbulbs in the process? The majority of commenters at Instructables think so, but if you’re interested in checking out the project, head on over to Instructables for the instructions, or check out the video above for a demonstration.